Reaction is still pouring in from around the world after Donald Trump’s latest unhinged rhetoric, this time his attack on Pope Leo in a rambling Truth Social post.
On Sunday, Trump called Pope Leo weak on crime and terrible on foreign policy.
It comes after the Pope on Saturday denounced wars and called for dialogue to end conflict. He had previously declared the war in Iran as unjust, branding Trump’s threat to destroy a “whole civilisation” in Iran as “truly unacceptable.”
At evening prayers in St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on Saturday, the first US-born Pope said:
“Even the holy Name of God, the God of life, is being dragged into discourses of death.”
“To them we cry out: stop! It is time for peace! Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation – not at the table where rearmament is planned and deadly actions are decided.”
“Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! True strength is shown in serving life.”
In his social media post, Trump retorted, saying he didn’t want a Pope who criticises the President of the United States, because Trump claims he is doing exactly what he was elected to do, reducing crime, but also that he created the greatest stock market in history.
Trump also claimed that if he weren’t President, Leo would not be elected Pope.
“If I weren’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican. Unfortunately, Leo’s Weak on Crime, Weak on Nuclear Weapons, does not sit well with me, nor does the fact that he meets with Obama Sympathizers like David Axelrod, a LOSER from the Left, who is one of those who wanted churchgoers and clerics to be arrested. Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!”
Trump later doubled down when speaking to reporters:
Reporter: Why did you attack Pope Leo?
Trump: I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He likes crime I guess. We don’t like a pope who says it’s ok to have a nuclear weapon. We don’t want a pope that says crime is ok. I am not a fan of Pope Leo. pic.twitter.com/cj3oh1jSIL
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 13, 2026
Pope Leo has responded to Trump’s criticism, telling reporters that he will continue to denounce war and warning that the Christian message, rooted in the primacy of peace, is being abused.
“I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the Church is here to do. We are not politicians. We don’t deal with foreign policy with the same perspective he might understand it, but I do believe in the message of the Gospel, as a peacemaker.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a close ally of Trump, said Trump’s comments were unacceptable.
“The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and it is right and normal for him to call for peace and to condemn every form of war.”
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian also came to the Pope’s defence, posting on X:
“His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, I condemn the insult to Your Excellency on behalf of the great nation of Iran, and declare that the desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is not acceptable to any free person. I wish you glory by Allah.”
Hours after Trump’s vitriolic post criticising the Pope, he posted an AI-generated image which depicted him as a Jesus-like figure. Following backlash from across the political spectrum, including his base, the image was later deleted from his account.
Trump told reporters it was supposed to be him as a doctor:
🚨 JUST IN: President Trump responds to backlash over an image he posted which seemed to depict him as Jesus
“It’s supposed to be me as a doctor making people better, and I do make people better. I make people a lot better!” pic.twitter.com/x526mPp2ME
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 13, 2026
